Libya: Time running out for 800 migrants and refugees held in Zuwara

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is highly concerned about the fate of around 800 migrants and refugees held in a dangerously overcrowded detention centre in the port city of Zuwara, around 100 kilometres west of Tripoli.

Some of the men, women and children inside have been detained in inhumane conditions for more than five months without adequate food or water.

“The situation is critical,” said Karline Kleijer, Head of MSF’s emergencies desk. “We strongly urge all international agencies with a presence in Libya, representatives from countries of origin and the Libyan authorities to do everything they can to find a solution for these people over the next few days.”

"Voluntary humanitarian return"

On Tuesday, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) airlifted 88 people in need of international protection out of Zuwara and took them to a detention centre in Tripoli with a view to identifying the most vulnerable cases for potential evacuation abroad.

The Libyan authorities have transferred some people to other detention centres in an attempt to reduce the extreme overcrowding and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) started the process of “voluntary humanitarian return” for some detainees.

“MSF calls again for an end to the arbitrary detention of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants in Libya.”

karline kleijerhead of msf emergency desk

However hundreds of people remain inside the detention centre in Zuwara with no solution in sight.

With each day that passes, the situation deteriorates further with an increasing number of refugees and migrants arbitrarily detained.